Boro are the big threat

05 Aug 2010 08:35:50

Over the last four days we asked, via a voting poll, which club you thought would be the biggest threat to the Clarets this season in the Championship and the result was overwhelming in support of Middlesbrough. Rhys WIlliams - with favourites MiddlesbroughOver half of the votes, 51.1% to be exact, were for the north east club where Gordon Strachan has strengthened their squad this summer with a number of high profile signings from Scotland, including Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson from Rangers and Stephen McManus from Celtic.Boro, having been relegated in 2009, were expected to challenge last season but in the end had to settle for a mid-table finish. They are certainly considered to be a side that will finish much higher this season.Our opponents on Saturday for the opening day are Nottingham Forest and they came in second with 13.2% of the vote. They ended last season in third place but Little Billy's team went out in the play off semi-finals against Blackpool. Despite no summer signings to date, other than making Radi Majewski's signing a permanent one, they are expected to be strong this season and one of the challengers.Some tactical voting, shall we say, means we'll ignore the next one but then there are three clubs all close together with around 5%. These are QPR, Bristol City and Cardiff. The first two of those were, like Middlesbrough, were mid-table teams last season whilst Cardiff went close to promotion before losing to Blackpool at Wembley in the play off final.Ahead of this season, QPR have been buying up players as you would expect with Neil Warnock in charge and Bristol City, under new manager Steve Coppell, have lured England goalkeeper David James to Ashton Gate.Over in South Wales it has been a difficult summer with a transfer embargo and a takeover bringing about the departure of the 'much loved' Peter Ridsdale.But it's Middlesbrough you said, they are the team to watch.